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• Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis): A fungal or yeast infection of the skin presenting with an appearance that can vary from simple scaling of the skin, with minimal itching, to macerated raw areas with spread of the infection to the undersurface of the toes or to the dorsum of the foot with blistering and inflammation.
• Fungal Nails (Onychomycosis): A fungal or yeast infection of the nail that may present with an appearance that can vary from white discoloration at edges of nail to thickened, crumbly, yellowish discoloration that may involve the entire nail plate.
• Ingrown Nails (Onychocryptosis): A condition where a spike, shoulder or serrated edge of the nail has grown into the skin, usually at the nail edges. It produces significant pain and may become inflamed, red, shiny and tense (Paronychia) with swelling of the toe. This may be from nail injury, shoe gear or from curving of the nail.
• Corns & Calluses: Thickening of skin in areas of increased pressure. Often a symptom of abnormal ambulation pressures, poor fitting shoes or bony prominences that increase pressure to areas of the foot. These can be problematic and often become very painful, especially with increasing thickness.
• Plantar Verruca (Warts): Thickened, yellow lesions with small pinpoint areas of bleeding or black specks (from clotted capillaries). These may present as single lesions or multiple lesions that come together as one large lesion (Mosaic Wart). They can be transmitted by contact with individuals, in swimming pools, locker rooms or other areas of public traffic.
• Plantar Fasciitis: A common problem encountered by physicians described as sharp pain, aching or stiffness on the bottom of one or both heels. The pain is usually localized to the bottom of the foot where the heel comes in contact with the arch. The pain is usually worst on the first step in the morning, after long periods of rest/sitting or after long periods of standing and ambulation. Metatarsalgia: Pain localized to the “ball of the foot” that is often produced by ambulating barefoot, high heeled shoes, tight achilles tendon (Equinus), or loss of plantar fat pad (with increasing age). This is often exacerbated by ambulation on hard floors, change of flooring in house or changing of shoe gear.
• Neuromas: Pain, numbness, tingling, cramping or burning localized to “ball of foot” that may start gradually and progress over time. Symptoms usually present after ambulating or standing for a period of time. It might feel like standing on a ball or rope. It usually presents in the area between the third and fourth toes, but may also affect other areas of the foot.
• Neuropathy: Pain, burning, numbness, tingling or loss of feeling to feet usually progressing from toes to the heel and then the ankle and knee (as if pulling a sock on). Often associated with Diabetes Mellitus, but may be associated with alcohol abuse, leprosy, nerve injury and multiple other causes (including an unknown etiology). This is particularly problematic as it may lead to other serious problems of the foot and leg.
• Tendonitis: Inflammation or pain to a tendon from traumatic injury, increased stress or abnormal ambulation. Over time this may lead to scaring of the tendon, increasing pain or limitation of ability to ambulate normally. Arthritis: Pain to foot in the area of joints that may initiate as stiffness and progress to increasing pain as bone rubs on bone. This is produced by break down of joint surfaces (cartilage) and production of irregular joint surfaces.
• Gout: An arthritic condition usually presenting in the great toe joint (Podagra) secondary to sodium urate crystal deposition in that joint. This is due to excess uric acid in the circulation leading to crystal deposition in the tissues.
• Bunions: A bunion is a protuberance or enlargement of bone or tissue at the base of the great toe. This occurs when the great toe begins to migrate towards the lesser toes and may be exacerbated by abnormal ambulation patterns, tight/pointed shoe gear. As such, it often is seen in families and is more common in women. Bunions may be without symptoms or may progress to severe pain that interferes with shoe wear, ambulation and standing.
• Tailor’s Bunions (Bunionette): Similar to the bunion deformity of the great toe, this protuberance or enlargement of bone or tissue is localized to the base of the little toe. These are also often seen in families. These may present with or without painful symptoms.
• Hammer Toes: Hammer toes are little toes that buckle or curl under. These may develop in any of the toe joints: joint at end of toe (Mallet Toe), joint in middle of toe (Hammer Toe), joint at ball of foot (Hammer Toe), or combination of all joints (Claw Toe). Over time, these toes may hurt, may produce corns or calluses on the toes or may limit ambulation and shoe gear.
• Foot or Ankle Fractures: All 28 bones of the foot and 2 bones of the ankle can be fractured or dislocated. Proper healing and return to function requires knowledge of normal anatomic alignment.
• Foot or Ankle Sprain/Strain: A sudden sideways motion, a twist, a misstep, or a foot landing off balance combined with muscles giving way may produce stretching of tendons or ligaments (Strain) or rupture/tear of ligaments (Sprain). These injuries are often painful at time of injury and throughout the healing process. Correct treatment can increase speed of recovery and limit reinjury.
• High Arch (Pes Cavus) or Flat Feet (Pes Planus): Shoe gear is usually designed for average foot types. This causes increased difficulty for those that have genetically high arches or flat feet. This foot type also has a higher risk for ankle sprains and foot injury. Although this foot type may be without pain, accommodation with custom or semi-custom orthotics/inserts can produce greater comfort and decreased foot pain or difficulty long-term.
• Lacerations: With the 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons, and intricate web of nerves and blood vessels, any laceration can be problematic in the foot.
• Ulcerations: Due to pressure that is constantly on the foot and leg during regular ambulation, ulcerations are particularly difficult in the lower extremity. Causes can vary from diabetic peripheral neuropathy, vascular abnormalities, high blood pressure, pressure sores or multiple other causes. All require careful management and an understanding of the available advanced wound care modalities, to produce the desired results in a reasonably shorter time.

Why Do My Feet or Ankles Hurt?

Although foot pain is never normal, it is very common and can often limit your ability to continue to function in normal living and normal life.  Due to the complexity of the foot structures (including 28 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons, and an intricate web of nerves and blood vessels), there can be a large number of causes for foot pain.  Careful evaluation of your foot or ankles may be required to determine the cause of your aching feet.

My Feet Are Numb or Tingling

Do you suffer from numbness or tingling in your feet? Neuropathy (nerve damage) is most commonly associated with diabetes, but there are nearly 100 other possible causes, including:

• a simple vitamin deficiency
• exposure to toxins
• complications from a kidney, liver or thyroid disorder
• an infection caused by another disease
• a traumatic injury

All of these can cause the nerves in your feet to become overly sensitive to pain or to become completely numb. The good news is that many of those aches and pains you thought you had to live with are treatable.

At Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute, we will start by treating the symptoms to give you immediate pain relief. Then, we will work with you to diagnose the root cause and cure it as quickly as possible.

Tell Me About My Diabetes

Checking your insulin level isn't your only concern with diabetes. The disease can also cause severe foot problems, such as:

• diabetic neuropathy
• peripheral arterial disease (decreased blood flow to the legs and feet)
• foot ulcers and infections
• decreased circulation
  

In addition to treatment for the above conditions and more, Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute offers diabetic shoes.

I Want To Keep Playing Sports

Is that bad ankle slowing down your game? Reluctant to visit your family doctor for fear he will suggest you stop doing what you love?

A soccer coach and marathon runner, Dr. Gibson understands that you don't want to stop your favorite activities. Our American Fork podiatrists will work with you to modify your activities so that you can still participate even while you're healing. 

What About My Child's Feet?

Few moments are as precious to a parent as their child's first steps. As a father of 10, Dr. Gibson knows that proud moment well. But what do you do when your child can't walk, has problems walking or seems to be in pain on his or her feet?

"Pain is never normal," notes Dr. Gibson. Even so-called "growing pains" usually have a cause and can often be treated. If you have a question about your child's foot development or pain, give us a call. Your child's feet will be in the best hands - a father's hands.

Dr. Gibson also recommends checking your newborn's feet for five signs:

1. Flat feet: Approximately 97 percent of Utah newborns appear to have flat feet. This is normal and should not concern parents.
2. Flexible feet: Since their bones are still developing, a newborn's feet should be flexible. You should call a foot specialist if you notice a foot that is tilted oddly on the leg, stiff and inflexible or contorted.
3. Baby shape: Most baby feet look like a "V," with a narrow heel. Any shape abnormalities can be fixed if caught early.
4. Reflexes: Run your finger from the bottom of the heel up to the big toe. Adults tend to curve their toes down while infants spread their toes apart. You only need to be concerned if there is no response at all.
5. Toes: Count them - There should be 10. Other abnormalities could include an unusually large toe or webbed toes.  A Utah foot specialist can tell you if treatment is required for a specific abnormality.

Do I Have An Ingrown Toenail?

Does your toe hurt?  Is it red and swollen?  Maybe it is draining blood or yellow fluid on socks or shoes.  Quite regularly, I see ingrown nails in both adults and children.  Although the problem is common, many people attempt to self treat and usually make the problem worse.  Ingrown toenails can become a big problem and often can interfere in even normal activities and normal shoes. 

Maybe your toenail is ingrown.  You can also follow 7 simple steps to reduce the chance of nails becoming ingrown.

Do I Have An Infection?

Do I Have A Bunion?

If you have a bunion, treatment options exist including conservative and surgical options.  Most of our patients come in after years of suffering and find the options are usually much better than they expected.  Don't you deserve to be without pain?

Why Do My Heels Hurt?

Do you have heel pain? 

Do your feet hurt first step in the morning or after sitting? 

Do you want to exercise or go shopping and can't because your feet hurt?

Have you been told you have heel spurs? 

Heel pain is not normal, because pain is never normal.  Through careful evaluation and treatment, your heel pain can be improved and usually resolved.  You can get back to normal activities without pain.

Why Are My Toes Curling?

Am I Walking/Running Correctly?

What Is This On My Skin?

Do I Need Orthotics?

What Shoes Should I Buy?

With the new trends of barefoot running, shoes designed to simulate being barefoot and new shoes to exercise your feet and legs, the question about what shoes to buy has become more common.  How do you find a quality shoe?

As you look for quality shoes, whether for you or a family member, it is recommended that you follow some key recommendations.  Although shoes don't usually cause foot or ankle problems, they can aggrevate a problem or a good shoe can reduce associated problems and even discomfort.

As your feet carry your through life, a shoe (if chosen correctly) can greatly improve your comfort and your ability to continue to function.  Get a good shoe, you deserve it!

Should I See/Call The Doctor?

Do I Need Surgery?

Nobody wants to live on crutches for weeks following foot surgery. And much as we like to kick off our shoes, prop up our feet and relax, even that gets old. After all, there's work to be done, games to be played and places to go.

Our goal is to get you back on your feet faster than you'd expect.

So if you've been putting off that bunion surgery, for example, for a "less busy" period of your life, don't. Instead, opt for Dr. Gibson's self-proclaimed "walking bunions" surgery, so nicknamed because patients can walk the same day.

If you've struggled with foot pain that never left after that bad sprain, ask us about our new surgery for Lisfranc injuries, a rare but painful condition in which a sprain has not fully healed.

Also, a new no-incision surgery can help your heel pain and get you back to normal shoes within days.  Usually, plantar fasciitis or heel spur surgeries would take you off your feet for weeks, but not with this new revolutionary procedure for heel pain. 

Tell Me About My Foot

The foot is a complex biological masterpiece consisting of 28 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons and an intricate web of nerves and blood vessels.

What Is Podiatry?

A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is defined as a physician and surgeon that practices the art of podiatry.

Utah law provides for the care of “the human foot and ankle.”  This includes many aspects of foot and ankle health.

The DPM, due to unique training and experience,  is truly a physician who specializes in and is uniquely qualified to treat disorders of the human foot and ankle.

Who Do You Treat?

Podiatry is a unique medical profession that provides care for all people from the very young to the very old, from the inactive to the highly active, and can usually help all overcome problems with the foot or ankle.

REGISTRATION FORMS

As a patient centered facility, we strive to decrease your wait in our office by supplying paperwork viat the internet to allow on-time appointments even for Newer Patients. 

Dowload Forms:   (PDF format)   
         Adult Registration Form

         Child Registration Form  (< 18 years old)

Privacy Practices (HIPPA): (PDF format)
       Notice of Privacy Practices -  Protecting your medical information.

       Confirmation of Receipt - Privacy Practices

REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Do you need an appointment for your feet or ankles?

As a special service to you, we allow appointment requests over the internet.  When do you need to be seen?  Usually we can get you appointed within 24-48 hours (when we are open).  Request Appointment Now

For an appointment or more information, call 801-756-0765 or email institute@utahfootdoc.com.

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Mountain West Foot & Ankle Institute is located in American Fork, Utah. It serves Utah County communities including Alpine, Highland, Lehi, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Orem, Provo and Springville.

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